Richard Ostler is hosting a meeting Thursday evening in Heber for people to come learn more about the LGBTQ community. Ostler has a background as a Bishop in the LDS church and has started a speaker series and website called “Listen, Learn and Love”. Carolyn Murray has this report:
Many know the name Kelleen Potter because she has been the mayor of Heber for the past 10 months. But her endorsement and work to organize this community event has to do with her being a Mom, not a public official. Richard Ostler has created a podcast to build community tolerance for LGBTQ people. He’s also developed a website called Listenlearnandlove.org. He is bringing the program to the Heber City community.
“And, he was a Bishop in the LDS church in a youth singles ward and he said he rally started to listen to their stories and try to hear what the kids were going through. And, he sid a lot of the kids were struggling because they identified as LGBT. So, when he started to hear their stories he thought he had a whole different perspective than what he previously thought he knew. So, he thought it was important to share what he had learned and try to help other people learn more about their stories and have more compassion and try to be what he believed would be a Christ like response to people who identify that way.”
Potter said the event has been well attended in other communities. She has no idea how many will show up for this Listen, Learn and Love meeting.
“It was really helpful. There were leaders of the Church that came. A lot of people came. I thinks some citeis were getting 150 to 200 people. They just feel like they are understanding the challenges faced by LGBT kids and adults as well. Just by getting a different perspective. Some of the quotes by church leaders that have been out and are a little more obscure and sometimes people don’t really know how to handle those situations. I know as parents, sometimes people have heard some really negative things. They’re scared and they really don’t know how to handle it. So, this is really an attempt to help people understand and be more kind.”
She said they’re using Facebook and other social media to publicize the event. Potter is part of a group that has evolved to support LGBTQ children.
“I’m involved with a group called Mama Dragons who are mothers and affirming mothers of LGBT children. I’ve put it there and some of them are contacting some of their people. Yea, it’s tricky in Heber because we don’t have one source that everyone goes to. So, we’re trying to get it out.”
Potter said statements about the LGBTQ community that come from LDS Church officials can be confusing, however she is encouraged by a message from Latter Day Saints Apostle Russel Ballard put out last year.
“He said, Mormon Leaders along with the rank and file need to listen to and understand what LGBT members are feeling and experiencing. We must do better than we have in the past until all feel they have a spiritual home, a place to worship and serve the lord. And, I guess my experience with our community and people in other communities is there is definitely work to be done in that area because they don’t feel that. And I think sometimes good people treat other people in ways because they don’t understand and don’t know what the other people are experiencing.”
The Listen Learn and Love gathering will be held at the Heber City Public Safety Building at 301 South Main in the Community Room. It’s Thursday, November the 1st from 7 to 8:30 pm.